"Bang!"
Asuma's figure dropped down.
Water scattered all around.
Asuma's hair, clothes, all soaked, looking quite disheveled.
"Hatake Kakashi!"
Hoshigaki Kisame looked at Kakashi, who suddenly appeared, with a slight frown.
The previous battle was three against three.
Mist ANBU Ninja, against a Konoha Ninja.
Hoshigaki Kisame against Sarutobi Asuma.
Zabuza against Kakashi.
Now that Kakashi has come to support, it means Zabuza lost in the battle against Kakashi.
"That brat lost."
Hoshigaki Kisame's expression wasn't too good.
Hoshigaki Kisame didn't like Zabuza, but when facing Konoha Ninja, Hoshigaki Kisame hoped the winner would be their own.
Not far away, a Konoha ANBU Ninja hidden in the shadows, seeing Kakashi's appearance, breathed a sigh of relief.
Retracting the Shuriken already prepared to be thrown, glanced at Asuma.
"Compared to Shinnosuke-sama, Asuma is indeed far behind."
"Back in the day, Shinnosuke-sama was much stronger at this age."
"And it's not just about strength."
"Asuma's judgment of the situation, mentality, still lacking."
Afterwards, the ANBU Ninja's gaze shifted to Kakashi.
"Kakashi, truly deserving of being Konoha's White Fang's son."
Konoha's White Fang, with a mixed reputation in Konoha.
In the past few decades, he was a formidable Kenjutsu genius of Konoha.
In that era, Ninjato practitioners from the Hidden Mist Village were completely overshadowed by Konoha's White Fang's brilliance.
Even the Konoha Sannin were considered juniors to him.
He even received the title of Hokage's Right Hand.
However, after certain missions and events with his comrades, his reputation plummeted drastically.
From being the village's hero, he became the village's criminal.
He had to commit suicide to atone.
The ANBU Ninja didn't know the right or wrong of Konoha's White Fang's actions, but they acknowledged his strength.
"This is true genius."
"No wonder Hokage-sama values Kakashi so much."
"However, by abandoning Kenjutsu and choosing Lightning Release, can Kakashi reach the level of Konoha's White Fang in his prime?"
Kakashi glanced at Asuma.
"Are you okay?"
The current Kakashi still remained in a state of withdrawal caused by his father's death.
Asuma's condition was dire.
But at this moment, Asuma forcibly suppressed the expression of his narrow escape and shook his head.
"Kakashi, I'm fine."
A hurried footstep echoed.
Hoshigaki Kisame turned around to see Zabuza stumbling out of the woods.
"Sorry."
The moment Zabuza saw Hoshigaki Kisame, he instinctively lowered his head.
Each had their one-on-one battles, not only had he lost, but he also affected Hoshigaki Kisame's side. For Zabuza, this was already considered a mission failure.
Zabuza came to stand not far from Hoshigaki Kisame, gazing at Kakashi.
"That guy is strong."
"Speed, power, skill, strategy... no weaknesses."
"Especially the Lightning Release."
As a genius of the Hidden Mist Village, Zabuza didn't consider himself weaker than Kakashi before.
The reason why Kakashi's reputation in the ninja world is greater than his own is simply because Kakashi hails from Konoha, entered the battlefield earlier, and had a powerful father, nothing more.
This battle is his chance to prove himself.
To rise to fame in a single battle.
Just like countless Senpais.
For ninjas, fame often boils down to just one battle.
Just like the Konoha Sannin.
In a three-on-one battle, besieging the Rain Ninja Village, fighting against Hanzo of the Salamander, who holds the title of a demi-god in the ninja world.
Earning recognition from Hanzo of the Salamander.
One day, achieving fame.
Kakashi is renowned in the ninja world.
If he could defeat Kakashi one-on-one, he could make a name for himself by surpassing Kakashi.
However, only after truly facing off did Zabuza realize that there are valid reasons why so many people acknowledge Kakashi.
Kakashi is very strong.
Strong in all aspects.
Zabuza only feels that he is being overshadowed in every aspect.
Taijutsu, ninja tools, Ninjutsu, experience, skill, strategy, speed...
Except for Water Release.
Hoshigaki Kisame nodded slightly.
"Kakashi, I'll take care of him. Sarutobi Asuma, I leave to you. Brat, don't tell me you can't handle this."
Zabuza looked at Asuma, his eyes flickering.
"No, I won't lose a second time."
At this point, Asuma was reminding Kakashi.
"Kakashi, that guy's Water Release is strong, and he also knows the Chakra Absorption Technique. Besides, the Ninjato he wields, named Kiriichimonji, has a strange ability. Wounds caused by it cannot be healed."
Kakashi nodded, looking at Hoshigaki Kisame, his expression becoming serious.
Even though they hadn't truly fought yet, Kakashi could feel that Hoshigaki Kisame would be a more formidable opponent than Zabuza, stronger in strength.
Moreover, the Chakra Absorption Technique, along with the information Asuma mentioned about Kiriichimonji, are both worth being vigilant about.
Kakashi's gaze fell on the Kiriichimonji in Hoshigaki Kisame's hand.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu!"
Hoshigaki Kisame swiftly formed hand seals.
A water dragon rose high, overlooking Kakashi.
In the next moment, it plunged fiercely.
Lightning flickered around Kakashi as he swiftly moved, leaving behind an afterimage, dodging the attack of the Water Dragon Bullet.
At the same time, he flicked his wrist.
Six Shuriken flew out, carving arcs in the air, approaching Hoshigaki Kisame from different directions.
Hoshigaki Kisame raised Kiriichimonji.
"Ding Ding Ding!"
A sound of metal collision rang out.
Kakashi's Shuriken were knocked down.
At the very moment Hoshigaki Kisame made his move, Zabuza charged towards Asuma.
The momentum on him was even stronger than when facing Kakashi before.
Zabuza and Asuma, both are the defeated.
But Zabuza's situation isn't as dire as Asuma's.
Moreover, Zabuza, facing defeat at the hands of Kakashi, has accumulated quite a lot of anger.
Now, it seems he wants to unleash all this anger.
"Kill!"
At this moment, Zabuza entered the state of blood mist, with nothing in his mind but slaughter.
Asuma thought that with a change of opponent, he might find it easier, a chance to catch his breath.
Asuma felt resentful towards Kakashi and wanted to prove himself not weaker than him, but now, he's quite relieved that Kakashi arrived.
However, Asuma didn't anticipate the pressure from Zabuza's attacks.
Asuma only felt that Zabuza was like a mad dog.
Without Hoshigaki Kisame's strength, but with such a fighting style, it's equally difficult for Asuma, who is already badly injured.
"This guy's gone crazy!"
"Did he come to me to make up for his loss to Kakashi?"
"Taking me for a softy?"
"Looking down on me too?"
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